Cubic Yard to Ton Calculator
One cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4–1.5 tons; the exact tons depend on the material — this calculator converts cubic yards to tons for 10+ common materials. Searching for a yards to tons calculator? Same math, same tool — you are in the right place.
Densities shown are typical loose, dry values. Wet or compacted material can weigh 10–20% more — order a little extra when the supplier sells by weight.
Estimates only. Actual weight varies with moisture, compaction, and source. Confirm with your supplier before ordering truckloads.
How the cubic yard to ton calculator works
A cubic yard is a volume: 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, or 27 cubic feet. A ton is a weight: 2,000 pounds. The bridge between them is density — how much one cubic yard of the material weighs. Gravel packs about 1.4–1.5 tons into a yard; fluffy mulch manages only 0.3–0.5 tons in the same space.
Weight shifts with moisture and compaction. A yard of dry sand and a yard of rain-soaked sand look identical but can differ by hundreds of pounds. That is why landscapers order by volume when spreading and by weight when hauling — and why this calculator answers in a range, not a single fragile number.
tons = yd³ × t/yd³ · tons = yd³ × 27 × lb/ft³ ÷ 2000 · yd³ = tons ÷ t/yd³
Related tools
Keep exploring: once you know the weight, figure the volume with the Gravel Calculator or price the job with the Sand Calculator.
Cubic yard to ton calculator FAQ
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard for dry gravel or crushed stone. So 10 cubic yards of gravel weighs roughly 14–15 tons — the same answer this yards to tons calculator gives in the By material mode.
How many tons is a cubic yard of sand?
About 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard for dry sand. Wet sand can push past 1.6 tons per yard, which is why suppliers often sell sand by the ton and deliver by the yard.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of topsoil?
About 1.0–1.3 tons per cubic yard. Screened, dry topsoil sits near 1 ton per yard; wet, compacted topsoil can reach 1.3 tons or more.
What is the formula to convert cubic yards to tons?
tons = cubic yards × density in tons per cubic yard. With density in pounds per cubic foot: tons = yd³ × 27 × lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000, because one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet and one ton equals 2,000 pounds.
How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?
About 2 tons — roughly 4,000 pounds per cubic yard. Concrete is far denser than soil or aggregate, so never guess its weight from a gravel conversion.
Does wet material weigh more than dry material?
Yes — noticeably. Rain-soaked gravel, sand, or soil can weigh 10–20% more than the same volume dry. If you are ordering by the truckload after rain, budget for the extra weight.
How many cubic yards fit in a dump truck?
A small dump truck or trailer holds about 5–7 cubic yards; a full-size tri-axle dump truck carries 10–14 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per yard, a full 12-yard load of gravel weighs close to 17 tons.